Homeplace

By Anne Rivers Siddons

"Anne Rivers Siddons...writes with such astonishing lyrical beauty that you will want to read it aloud to everyone you ever loved."  — Pat Conroy

After twenty-one years Micah (Mike) Winship is making the big move--she's going home for a visit. She hasn't been back since 1963, when her father threw her out, but now he is dying and asking for her. And although she is armed with her succesful journalism career and the strength found after her divorce, she is nearing forty and her sophisticated urban lifestyle is falling apart.

Heading home, Mike is unprepared for a past that has lain in wait for her--one that includes an old love, a spoiled sister, and a plot to seize her family's land. And in trying to understand her long-forgotten self, she learns at last those lessons best learned early about love and loss, family and forgiveness, and the undeniable need for a place called home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 13, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061854491

Anne Rivers Siddons

Anne Rivers Siddons is the New York Times bestselling author of 19 novels that include Nora, Nora, Sweetwater Creek, Islands, Peachtree Road, and Outer Banks. She is also the author of the nonfiction work John Chancellor Makes Me Cry.

Reviews for Homeplace

[tikilights_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My future marriage bible.

[cmblaker · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting book. Once I ignored the frequent anti-feminist rhetoric & proselytizing, I feel she had some very important points & made me re-think & question some long held beliefs I didn't even really realize I had. Any book that makes you do that is what literature is all about! I was particularly surprise by the realization that with all the talk of couples wanting & believing they have an "equal" relationship - many women take for granted their "right" for girls time, shopping spress, venting or ridiculing their spouses, while castigating their partners for daring to want or do the same things!! That alone made it a worth while read.

[angelalam-300700 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I learned what NOT to do in my marriage, but I read this after the damage had already been done. My only hope is to always appreciate my husband using the skills taught in this book.

[tamihindes · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I read the book because I don't want to screw up marriage #2 for me and #3 for hubby. Usually, I can't stand listening to Dr. Laura - patronizing, condescending etc, but I gave her book a try. It did keep my attention and I didn't go ballistic with some of her suggestions. I never did find my situation laid-off hubby/working wife. I can't motivate my hubby. I tried some of her ideas - being affectionate - I got what do you want; Intimate - not tonight. This might work in fairytale land but not so much in real life. I thought Dr. Laura stereotypes people and situations. She either never knew what it was like to be struggling financially or she forgot. Plus, I wonder if she lives what she preaches? There was a lot in the book about remember what your man was interested before you were married (music, medicine), but what about the wife? What's good for the goose is good for the gander. She did have some good points. I do believe men are often lampooned. Women and men need to respect each other. Man bashing isn't good for anyone Give him some space. I read the book with an open mind, but I think this should be catergorized as fiction.

[cmbohn · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I would never have read this book if it hadn't been chosen for my book group. Even now, I can't believe I read this garbage! It should make for an interesting discussion!The reason I gave it 1.5 stars is that she did actually make two good points (along with all the baloney).First - your husband is not a mind-reader. Tell him what's going on. Don't expect him to guess and then be mad when he guesses wrong.Second - if you are having trouble, talk to your husband first, then a therapist or clergyman. Don't talk to your girlfriends. Male bashing is NOT the way to solve your problems. It may relieve a little stress and help you vent, but it will backfire and cause even more hostility. Your husband deserves your loyalty.Other than that, I really couldn't believe that this kind of stuff was being advocated in this day and age! For example, don't expect your husband to help with the housework. After all, you don't go to work with him and help him with his job, do you? (It's not like women have anything to do besides stay at home and clean the house, right?) And don't get too fat - you have no right to overeat. And don't ever tell your husband no. He has a right to expect sex whenever he wants it.As I talked the book over with my husband (of 19 years, almost. We must be doing something right!) we agreed that the most annoying part of the book is that she sticks men and women in these stereotypical gender roles and just leaves it at that. Men are big, dumb, simple creatures who basically want a hot meal, a hot wife, and a pat on the back. Women are supposed to be content to keep the house clean and please their man.And yet, I see that other women have rated this book much higher than I have. What can I say? This is NOT the kind of relationship I want. It's not the kind I want for my children. I want them to see a healthy partnership, where each partner is loved and valued as an INDIVIDUAL, not as a type, and where both partners are allowed, even encouraged, to express their feelings and desires and have them validated. Where there is a firm commitment to working together to solve problems when they come up, where neither partner is responsible for all the work in any category, but where flexibility is stressed. I DO NOT recommend this book in any circumstances. I think it perpetuates an unhealthy definition of marriage and if followed will cause a lot more problems than it resolves.

[itbgc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Though I'm not a fan of the author's radio show, I have to admit that I'm glad I read this book. It made me realize how much my husband does for me and so I appreciate him so much more than I used to. I could see things better from his point of view. The author points out common problems women may have in their marriages, and I thought it was a pretty decent book.

[boundtogetherforgood · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a WONDERFUL book which will change you for the better! After you've changed, HE will undoubtedly begin to change too! We have always had a great marriage but I still saw changes after I read this book! Wonderful!